After the Whistle: Navigating Life After D1 Soccer
Kate Leachman’s Story of Grit, Growth, and What Comes After the Final Game
Kate Leachman’s soccer story started the way so many do: her parents signed her up at four years old. But from the very beginning, it was clear this wasn’t just another activity. She loved being good at something. She loved competing. And she loved the energy of a team working toward a common goal.
As she got older, that love turned into drive. Kate wasn’t satisfied with good enough — she wanted to play with the best. She bounced between club teams, pushing herself into more competitive environments. She sought out teammates who would challenge her and coaches who wouldn’t let her coast.
The Dream That Didn’t Fit
All that work paid off when she earned a spot at the University of Idaho. On paper, it was exactly what she had worked for. But when she got there, something was off. The playing time was there - she started consistently as a freshman. But the connection wasn’t. The experience she had envisioned - wasn’t her reality.
It’s hard to walk away from something you’ve worked for your whole life. But Kate did.
A Second Chance
She thought that might be the end of her playing days. But then, in one of those moments you can’t plan for, she met a trainer who had connections at the University of Nebraska. A few conversations later, Kate was walking on to one of the most competitive programs in the country.
Nebraska was everything she had imagined — and more. Early morning alarms. Grueling workouts. The pressure to perform in the classroom and on the field. The mental exhaustion of always feeling like you had to prove yourself.
She kept showing up.
Over three seasons, she appeared in 24 games and logged 352 minutes on the field. She recorded an assist in her senior season opener and earned a start against Michigan, playing a season-high 45 minutes. Off the field, she earned Academic All-Big Ten honors twice, made the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll multiple times, and was part of the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team.
But when it all ended, there was no send-off. No speech. Just a handshake and a quiet goodbye.
Life After the Whistle
She remembers breaking down in tears after one of the only job interviews she had lined up. Not because she didn’t want it — but because, in that moment, she felt completely unprepared. For the interview. For the job. For life after soccer.
But she got the job. And now, she’s doing what she’s always done: putting herself in new situations, trying new things, and leaning on the people who understand.
There are things that have helped her start to find her footing:
Staying connected with teammates who’ve walked this road and know the disorienting feeling of stepping away from sport.
Relying on the same discipline that helped her manage the demands of a D1 program.
Allowing herself to pivot and be curious about what’s next, even if it’s messy and undefined.
And there are things she wishes had been different:
Honest conversations early on — in high school and college — about life beyond the next season.
Encouragement to imagine herself at 30, with or without the game, and to start building that vision alongside her training.
An intentional ending. The chance to feel seen and acknowledged for the years of work, sweat, and sacrifice.
What She’d Tell Her 15-Year-Old Self
“Make the most of it, but don’t let it be everything. You can be an athlete and more. Be curious about who you are outside of the game. Start exploring that early — because one day, the sport will end, and you’ll still be you.”
What About You?
💬 Have you faced the transition out of sport? What was the hardest part for you? I’d love to hear your story — drop a comment send us a message, or schedule time to lend your voice
📩 Know someone who’s navigating life after the game? Share this with them. We’re building a community of athletes who are learning to carry what sport taught them into everything they do next.
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